Killen eyes starring role at Celtic

The 25-year-old turned his back on Cardiff, among other interested clubs, to sign a three-year contract at Celtic Park.

Scroll down to read more:

The New Zealand international joins the double winners on a free transfer and will have to fight off competition from Scott McDonald, who has joined from Motherwell, as well as present strikers such as Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, Kenny Miller, Derek Riordan and Maciej Zurawski.

Killen's unveiling at Celtic Park was low-key in comparison to last week's press conference to announce his former Hibernian team-mate Scott Brown had completed his £4.4million move from the Easter Road club.

However, the former Manchester City and Oldham player, who claimed his decision to move to Celtic was a "no-brainer", has no intentions of being an understudy to anyone next season.

He said: "There was a time when I was not sure where I was going but when Celtic came in it was a 'no-brainer'.

"I've been in talks with a couple of clubs, including Cardiff, but the interest came from Celtic in the last couple of days and I am here now.

"But I'm not here to be a squad player, I have come to play.

"There is going to be competition but that's not a problem for me.

"I'm going to work hard and do everything that I can to get that starting jersey.

"Initially I signed at Hibs on an 18-month deal and I saw it as a stepping stone to bigger and better things and Celtic are bigger and better.

"It's such a great club and playing in the Champions League is something I would love to do."

Killen praised former Hibernian manager Tony Mowbray for taking a chance and bringing him up from Oldham in January 2006.

He said: "The opportunity Tony Mowbray gave me to come and play in the SPL was something I relished and I am thankful that he did.

"I knew that if I did well and scored goals, which I've done, then this occasion might arrive and luckily it did."

Killen has not played since January, after suffering a serious Achilles injury against Aberdeen at Pittodrie but the burly striker had already notched 15 goals when injury struck.

The Kiwi insists he has put that injury nightmare behind him saying: "It was frustrating, my season was going really well at the time.

"But that's football, you've got to take the rough with the smooth which I've done."